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Both ENDS

Both ENDS is an independent non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works towards a sustainable future for our planet. We do so by identifying and strengthening civil society organisations (CSOs), mostly in developing countries, that come up with sustainable solutions for environmental and poverty-related issues. Building on such effective alternatives, we create and support strategic networks capable of promoting social-environmental interests. At the same time we directly influence policies and promote our vision in fora that matter, both on national and international levels.

People with little or no income often depend heavily on natural resources. Their only income comes from the land they work, the forests they live in or the water they fish. They are the first to be affected by the disruption of nature and often suffer most. Access to and control over land and water determine their quality of life. The fight against poverty - as laid out in the Millennium Development Goals - cannot be achieved without a clear focus on sustainable land- and water management and recognition of rights of local people...women and men, girls and boys.

Capital flows have fundamental implications for the usage of water and land, via investment in large waterworks such as dams or financial policies concerning agriculture and trade. Both ENDS gives civil society organisations a voice in these capital flows, to help local communities maintain access to the natural resources they depend on. Both ENDS does it utmost to influence decision-making processes and to anticipate the processes that generate trade- and international funding. It closely follows the way big financial institutions such as the World Bank group and regional development banks work.

Both ENDS tries to put sustainability and the fight against poverty high on the agenda within the world of international trade finance, with a particular focus on export credit agencies (ECAs). To that end it actively engages with the ECA-Watch network in joint efforts to improve the policies of ECAs at the level of the European Union and the OECD. It specifically monitors the performance of the Dutch ECA: Atradius Dutch State Business (Atradius DSB).